The Science of Personality Podcast Music & Personality
Jul 29, 2025
David Greenberg, a psychologist, neuroscientist, and musician, shares his expertise on how music intertwines with personality. He explores how our musical tastes reveal insights about ourselves and how those preferences can change over time. With a focus on music's therapeutic effects, he discusses its role in self-awareness and emotional connection. The conversation also navigates the impact of AI on music consumption and identity, raising thought-provoking questions about the future of music within our personal narratives.
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David's Musical Therapy Origin Story
- David Greenberg's introduction to music therapy started at two weeks old when his grandfather's singing aided his recovery from surgery.
- Learning improvisation on saxophone deeply influenced his psychological understanding of music and self-expression.
Musical Preferences Stabilize at 14
- Musical preferences stabilize around age 14 due to neurobiological and social identity factors.
- Preferences shift later in life alongside personality changes and life stages such as parenting and empty nesting.
Personality Links to Music Traits
- People high in openness prefer dissonant music, while higher autistic traits correlate with preference for predictable, repetitive music.
- Neurotic individuals tend to favor brooding, intense music which may reflect or reinforce their anxiety.
